xGasteraloe plant named &#39;KYAKA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of xGasteraloe plant named ‘Kyaka’ that is characterized by green leaves with grey-green orbicular dots, leaf margins with white teeth and a basal rosette plant shape.

Botanical classification: xGasteraloe hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Kyaka’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofxGasteraloe plant botanically known as xGasteraloe hybrid andhereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Kyaka’.

‘Kyaka’ originated from the crossing of the female or seed parent,Gasteria ‘Royal Wolfgang’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,667) with the male orpollen parent, an unnamed Aloe aristata cultivar. The crossing wasconducted in 2010 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. The resulting seeds weresubsequently planted and grown. The cultivar ‘Kyaka’ was selected by theinventor in 2013 in a controlled environment as a single plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a cultivated area of Sappemeer,Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Kyaka’ first occurred by leafcuttings in 2013 in Sappemeer, Netherlands. Since that time, undercareful observation, the unique characteristics of the new cultivar havebeen uniform, stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newxGasteraloe cultivar ‘Kyaka’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Kyaka’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other existingvarieties of xGasteraloe known by the inventor.

1. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits green leaves with grey-green orbiculardots.2. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits leaf margins with white teeth.3. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits a basal rosette plant shape.

The closest comparison cultivars are Aloe ‘Tiki Zilla’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 25,343) and Aloe ‘Cosmo’ (not patented). ‘Kyaka’ is distinguishablefrom ‘Tiki Zilla’ by the following characteristics:

1. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits longer and thinner leaves than theleaves of ‘Tiki Zilla’.2. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits a larger number of teeth on the leafmargins than the number of teeth on the leaf margins of ‘Tiki Zilla’.3. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits a more erect growth habit than thegrowth habit of ‘Tiki Zilla’.

‘Kyaka’ is distinguishable from ‘Cosmo’ by the followingcharacteristics:

1. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits a more open plant habit than the planthabit of ‘Cosmo’. In contrast, the plant habit of ‘Cosmo’ is morecompact.2. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits leaves with a large number of grey-greenorbicular dots. In contrast, ‘Cosmo’ has a fewer number of white dots.

‘Kyaka’ is distinguishable from the female parent plant, by thefollowing characteristics:

1. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits thinner leaves than the leaves of thefemale parent plant.2. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits leaves that have a flatter orientationthan the female parent plant. In contrast, the leaves of the femaleparent plant have a more erect orientation.

‘Kyaka’ is distinguishable from the male parent plant by the followingcharacteristics:

1. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits darker green leaves than the leaves ofthe male parent plant.2. xGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’ exhibits wider and thicker leaves than the leavesof the male parent plant. In contrast, the leaves of the male parentplant are narrower, more elongated and thinner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofxGasteraloe ‘Kyaka’. The photograph shows an overall view of a 22 monthold plant. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographictechniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new xGasteraloe cultivarnamed ‘Kyaka’. Data was collected in Sappemeer, Netherlands from 22month old plants grown in a glass greenhouse in 12 cm. diametercontainers. The time of year was Winter and the temperature range was18-20 degrees Centigrade during the day and 15-18 degrees Centigrade atnight. The light level was natural light level. No photoperiodictreatments or growth retardants were used. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2015edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies. ‘Kyaka’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: xGasteraloe hybrid ‘Kyaka’.-   Annual or perennial: Perennial.-   Parentage: ‘Kyaka’ is a hybrid of the female parent, Gasteria ‘Royal    Wolfgang’ and the male parent, an unnamed Aloe aristata cultivar.-   Plant type: Potted plant.-   Growth habit: Basal rosette.-   Plant shape: Globe shaped.-   Suitable container size: 7 cm. pots or larger.-   Plant height: 12.2 cm.-   Plant width: 13.9 cm.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Low temperature tolerance: 10° Centigrade.-   High temperature tolerance: 35° Centigrade.-   Propagation: Leaf cuttings and micro-propagation.-   Time to initiate roots (summer): 14 days at 20° C.-   Time to initiate roots (winter): 21 days at 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting (summer): 80 days at 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting (winter): 90 days at 20° C.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Crop time: Approximately 35 to 40 weeks in Sappemeer, Netherlands.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Plant fragrance: None.-   Branching habit: Leaves arise in basal rosette, no branches.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Basal rosette.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per plant.—Average 23.        -   Leaf shape.—Lanceolate, succulent.        -   Leaf aspect.—Slightly concave.        -   Leaf apex.—Narrow acute with a soft mucronate tip.        -   Leaf base.—Broad cuneate.        -   Leaf dimensions.—10.3 cm. in length, 2.4 cm. in width and            0.8 cm. in thickness.        -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.        -   Leaf luster (both surfaces).—Moderately glossy.        -   Leaf rugose (both surfaces).—Not rugose.        -   Pubescence (both surfaces).—Absent.        -   Leaf margin.—Sharp serrate, teeth 0.75 mm. in length.        -   Venation pattern.—None visible.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—In between NN137A and            147A, toward base 144A, moderately covered with small            orbicular dots 1.5 mm. in diameter colored 190D, margin            teeth 157D.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—In between NN137A and            147A, toward base 144B to 144C, moderately covered with            small orbicular dots 2.0 mm. in length and 1.5 mm. in width            colored 190C to 190D, margin teeth 157D.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—In between 147A and            N189A, toward base 191A, moderately covered with small            orbicular dots 1.5 mm. in diameter colored 143C, margin            teeth 157D.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—In between 147A and            N189A, toward base 146D, densely covered with small            orbicular dots 2.0 mm. in length and 1.5 mm. in width            colored 191C, margin teeth 157D.-   Flower: ‘Kyaka’ has not produced flowers to date.-   Fruit and seed: ‘Kyaka’ has not produced fruit or seed to date.-   Disease and pest resistance: Disease and pest resistance has not    been observed.

1. A new and distinct variety of xGasteraloe plant named ‘Kyaka’ asdescribed and illustrated.